America’s Cup: Dalton reflects on Barcelona, and what the future holds for him and the next Defence

In this in-depth discussion Emirates Team New Zealand CEO Grant Dalton joins top sports broadcaster Marty Devlin to talk all about their recent win at the America’s Cup in Barcelona, hailing it as their “most complete effort” yet.

Back in Auckland for just a week, the Emirates Team New Zealand CEO reflects on the campaign, going back to their review process following the 2021 America’s Cup in Auckland, which was conducted by McKinsey, with Nathan Outteridge brought in to provide further input.

That process led to significant changes in the sailing team, and particularly the way they worked together.

Dalton says they went through all the on board audio from the other teams as well as ETNZ. One of the points of difference from Barcelona is that he felt INEOS Britannia were focused a lot more on boat setup during the race, where the Kiwis probably only spent 10% of their time discussing setup, and 90% on positioning the boat on the course.

Moving to what happens next, Dalton discusses his future with the team, and the review process they will go through as a team, early next year.

Dalton says he was shocked on their return at the state of New Zealand, and say that maybe the country needs an event to help lift morale, and tourism back to the levels enjoyed overseas – with any cities experiencing a tourism glut.

He is positive about the Cup returning to be sailed in Auckland, saying that a partnership similar to that used in Barcelona involving a mix of Governmental, Auckland Council and private funding is required, and possible, and that he is prepared to bury the hatchet with some of his past “relationships” in order for that to happen.